Naval Air Station Corpus Christi

• Established in 1941: Naval Air Station (NAS) Corpus Christi was commissioned on March 12, 1941, just months before the U.S. entered World War II, to meet the urgent need for naval aviators. • World War II Training Hub: During WWII, NAS Corpus Christi became one of the largest naval aviation training facilities in the world, training over 35,000 aviators by war’s end. • George H.W. Bush Trained Here: Future U.S. President George H.W. Bush earned his wings as a Naval Aviator at NAS Corpus Christi in June 1943, becoming the youngest naval aviator at the time. • Aircraft Carrier Simulator: During WWII, the base used a simulated flight deck to train pilots in takeoffs and landings, mimicking the conditions of an aircraft carrier. • Home to the Blue Angels: The famous U.S. Navy Blue Angels flight demonstration team was briefly stationed at NAS Corpus Christi in 1948. • Major Economic Impact: NAS Corpus Christi is one of the largest employers in South Texas, with an economic impact exceeding $2 billion annually. • Wings of Gold: The base’s Training Air Wing FOUR is the U.S. Navy’s primary facility for training naval aviators and has produced thousands of pilots since its inception. • Home to the C-12 Huron: The C-12 Huron, a twin-engine turboprop aircraft, is a mainstay at NAS Corpus Christi, used for multi-engine and advanced pilot training. • Environmental Stewardship: The base is recognized for its efforts in wildlife conservation, including protecting habitats for endangered species such as the Kemp’s ridley sea turtle. • International Pilot Training: NAS Corpus Christi also hosts allied and foreign military pilot trainees, strengthening international military cooperation and partnerships.